Festus Ezeli

Ezeli missed the entire 2013-14 season after undergoing surgery to repair the medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee back in June 2013. The Warriors' initial timetable had him returning last season, but he kept getting pushed back and never made...

Ezeli had offseason knee surgery and is not expected to be ready to play until December, at the earliest. He received a fair amount of playing time as a rookie in 2012-13 because of the recuperation time Andrew Bogut needed after undergoing ankle surgery. With Bogut healthy heading into training camp and veteran Jermaine O'Neal on board for the season, Ezeli's role will be diminished once he returns. He's a feared shot-blocker, but could use some development time in the D-League.

2012-13

Ezeli is athletic and mobile, but is a work-in-progress at both ends of the floor. Heís an aggressive shot blocker, though probably too aggressive as it takes him out of rebounding position when, more than anything, the Warriors could use rebounding help in the frontcourt. Where he fits in the big-man rotation is up in the air as the team enters training camp. He could usurp minutes from the disappointing Andris Biedrins, but the addition of Carl Landry could block Ezeliís path to meaningful playing time.